Now that the debate is over, it's time to have your say on how it went.
Anthony Albanese has been declared the winner of the debate, with 40 per cent of the undecided voters at the Sky News event picking the Opposition leader.
About 35 per cent backed the current Prime Minister Mr Morrison, while 25 per cent are still undecided.
But if you'd like to have your say, vote in our poll above.
Election live 2022: Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese face-off in first leaders debate on Sky News
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Labor leader Anthony Albanese went head-to-head on Australia's rift with China, boat turnbacks, aged care, a federal ICAC and more issues as the debate got personal.
- Odds open on first leaders' debate
- Coalition, Labor speak different languages when it comes to China
- 'Disgusting lie': Backlash grows over Labor's attack on pensioners
Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese went toe-to-toe tonight in a high-stakes, town-hall style debate as both leaders try to win over a sceptical nation.
The prime minister and opposition leader tried to use the crucial event for all-important campaign momentum, after the latest Newspoll nearly showed nearly 30 per cent of voters intend to support a minor party or an independent candidate rather than either major party.
Mr Albanese attacked the government for not sending Foreign Minister Marise Payne to the Solomon Islands in a bid to stop the pacific nation signing a security deal with China, and referred to Assistant Minister Zed Seselja as a “junior burger”.
Mr Morrison dismissed criticism that his government had bungled its security relationship, stating it highlighted China's ramped up aggression levels over recent years.
Mr Morrison was up first, and said it had been hard to buy a house with his wife Jenny 30 years ago, but "it's getting harder" as he talked about housing affordability.
Both leaders have been grilled on the issue of the aged care workforce, with Mr Albanese pressed on how he intended to support his plans of 24/7 nursing in aged care centres while Mr Morrison was questioned on why his government hadn't made it happen yet.
Mr Morrison said his proposal for a Commonwealth integrity commission would differ to the state-based anti-corruption commission's in the sense it would deal with criminal issues.
Mr Morrison said he had been disappointed with the operations of the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption.
The two leaders later clashed on asylum seekers and boat turnbacks. Mr Albanese, during a fiery exchange on Australia’s asylum seeker policy, slammed the Prime Minister for “always seeking division”. Mr Morrison said he was simply looking for “accuracy and the truth”.
Updates
Who won the debate?
ScoMo slammed over "blessed" children gaffe
Former federal Labor leader and old adversary Bill Shorten has ripped into the PM over his comments over his own children.
"ScoMo says he is “blessed” to have two non disabled children. Every child is a blessing," Mr Shorten wrote.
Mr Shorten then attacked the government over slashing the NDIS, claiming Labour "will fix" it.
ScoMo says he is “blessed” to have two non disabled children. Every child is a blessing. The NDIS is there to help people with disability live their lives to the fullest. The Morrison Gov has slashed NDIS plans for 1000s of children around Australia. Labor will fix the NDIS.
— Bill Shorten (@billshortenmp) April 20, 2022
Leaders told it all comes down to a matter of trust
The penultimate question of the night was one of trust in government, as poll results suggest more people are considering voting for an independent or minor party as they become more disillusioned with major parties.
Undecided voter Claire asked what they were going to do to get people to start trusting the government again.
While the Prime Minister danced around the question, Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese spoke about his desire to work collaboratively with the Coalition to deliver strong policy. Scott Morrison answered first by highlighting the "strong economic plan" the government is taking to the election, backed in by their response throughout the pandemic.
"We are helping Australians realise their big aspirations … our plan is delivering that," he said.
"The country is … in a strong position. We've had a chance to lead that process."
While Mr Morrison somewhat avoided the question, Mr Albanese started by acknowledging that Claire was "right on the money" with talk about how much disillusion there was.
"(that's) one of the reasons why we need … a strong anti-corruption commission, and we need to do more," Mr Albanese said.
Mr Albanese went on to say that while he led the Labor party, he had vowed to work with the government to deliver policies that would better Australia.
"When you have a good idea, you embrace it," he said. Making mention again to boat turn backs and offshore processing, Mr Albanese acknowledged that the party had changed its policy since 2013.
"It's a good idea, it worked, so we embraced it. When you have a good idea, you embrace it," he said.
"I want to restore the faith… unite the country. I'm not a Prime Minister looking for a wedge or division.
"If we're going to move forward, we need to work out our common interests."In his closing remarks, Mr Morrison said he "fundamentally" believed the election was centred around the nation's economy.
"It will determine your economic opportunity … now is not the time to turn back," he said.
"The economic plan that we know is working and will continue to work."
Mr Albanese said despite the Coalition looking to gain power for a second decade, they "haven't shown a plan".
"I want people to enjoy a higher standard of living," he said.
Albo says lack of enrolled young voters 'concerning'
The Leaders Debate is drawing to a close with a final question on why young people are so disillusioned with politics.
Mr Albanese said it was a "real concern" when voter Lizzie raised that many young people were not enrolled to vote.
"That's a real concern that people out there don't care why democracy is important and that's why forums like this and our federal campaigns are so important," he said.
"In some countries people risk their lives to fight for the right to vote. We need to do much better, we need to engage with young people, we need to engage on issues that matter to them.
"I know young people are particularly concerned about climate change."
Mr Morrison said his government had connected with young people through reforms on online safety — reforms which have in recent weeks been under intense scrutiny for protecting teens.
One of things I've noticed in Australian politics… (is) young people are growing up with many more challenges than back when I was growing up and Anthony was growing up," he said.
"We put the first online eSafety commissioner… We made sure we had legislation that made those (social media) companies pay. There are things that people will never say to each other but they will write in a comment."
PM blames social media for decline of 'civil debate'
Mr Morrison said the “corrosive impact” of social media on society had changed the face of “civil debate” in Australia.
The comments come after days of the Prime Minister defending the Coalition’s candidate in the blue-ribbon seat of Warringah in New South Wales after inflammatory comments she made about trans people on social media—including comparisons to Nazi Germany—surfaced.
'Outrageous slur': Albo slams PM's China claims
Scott Morrison has accused the Labor party of "taking China's side" over the Solomon Islands security deal.
But Anthony Albanese fired back, labelling the Prime Minister's characterisation "an outrageous slur".
Mr Morrison dismissed criticism that his government had bungled its security relationship, stating it highlighted China's ramped up aggression levels over recent years.
"When the Labor party said this is a policy fail – no this is because China is seeking to interfere," he said.
"What this shows is that China has changed … What I don't understand is, why would you take China's side?
"Somehow it's Australia's fault."
Mr Albanese said his party wasn't disputing that China has changed.
"It (China) is more aggressive, it's more active in the region and we need to understand that and respond to it," he said.
"This isn't a Pacific step up. It's a Pacific stuff up."
He said the Coalition had failed to respond accordingly by sending a "junior burger" to carry out diplomatic talks, slamming the government for sending Assistant Minister Zed Seselja instead of Foreign Minister Marise Payne to the Solomon Islands in a bid to stop the pacific nation signing a security deal with China.
Flood recovery plans revealed
The two Prime Ministerial candidates have been asked to reveal their immediate and long term plans to repair and support flood-devastated communities across NSW and Victoria by audience member Martin.
Martin said he was concerned that just over $200m had been committed out of the $4bn Federal Emergency Response Fund.
Mr Morrison said the government had now committed $300m out of the fund as well as $5.2bn between states and the Commonwealth across both communities.
"70 percent of that ($5.2bn spent) is being paid by the federal government," he said.
"We established the national recovery and resilience agency… to do it in partnership with the state governments, we have to work together.
"I was here in Brisbane when it was occurring.. (And) we will continue to invest."
Mr Albanese said Labor had supported the emergency fund on the condition that $200m be spent every year.
"Yet it just stayed there as if it was a term deposit," he said.
"What we've said is we will have a disaster ready fund, $200m every year spent on making sure preparedness is done for floods, cyclones, bushfires.
"The government has acted in our view, very strong view, and what I've heard here in Brisbane in particular…just too little too late."
Voters seeing double
They've expressed their differing views on various social issues tonight, but the PM and Labor leader Mr Albanese do share one thing- their posture.
The two leaders struck remarkably similar figures towards the closing end of the debate.
Industrial relations becomes a sore point
The leaders have clashed over industrial relations, after a question about what they would do to help people move forward as the economy transitions to the endemic phase of Covid-19.
In response to small business owner Daniel, Mr Morrison talked about how his government had cut taxes for sole traders and small businesses, including instant asset write offs.
Mr Albanese pressed Daniel for more details about his own situation, before he said he "acknowledged how difficult it has been", and that "many people did get left behind.
Mr Albanese went on to take aim at Mr Morrison over industrial relations legislation, with Labor accusing the Coalition of trying to get rid of the Better Off Overall Test.
Labor spent Wednesday warning that a return of the Coalition's omnibus bill would mean changes that could allow for pay cuts.
"If you're going to get rid of it, you don't want people to be better off overall," Mr Albanese told the audience.
Mr Morrison cut in, telling Mr Albanese: "That is not what's happening".
Mr Albanese replied: "You said that's what was happening".
Mr Morrison went on to explain that it only related to the pandemic, and that "things are changing".
Albo tweeting mid-debate
It appears the ALP leader is somewhat of a multi-tasker.
While he is fully focused on the debate with Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Anthony Albanese has also been busily Tweeting right through the debate.
It's suspected a second pair of hands off-screen may be helping the Labor leader keep his Twitter feed updated.
Scott Morrison's plan for workers is another pay cut.
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) April 20, 2022
My plan for workers is more secure jobs with better pay. Jobs you can raise a family on.
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